Darren Dreger says that while contract term and CBA term are still the biggest issues, the PA’s insistence on a salary cap of $67.25 million, compliance buyouts and a cap on escrow are still big hurdles for the NHL.

Dreger adds “As players enter next stage of disclaimer of interest, NHL says its litigation is defensive + resolution can only come from negotiating.”

He says that the problem with that comes from the fact that neither side is that eager to get back to negotiating or to make the next move.